The defensive end class is headlined by South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney maintained his status as the No. 1 prospect in draft, despite what was generally perceived as a poor junior campaign.

But Clowney isn’t the only highly-talented defensive end available in May’s NFL draft. Missouri’s Kony Ealy is projected as a first round prospect, and Notre Dame’s Stephon Tuitt could also slide into the opening frame.

NOTE: The pass rushers are split. This installment features those prospects better suited to be 4-3 or 3-4 defensive ends.

Here are the top defensive end prospects for the 2014 NFL draft:

Top 10

1. Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
Despite the concerns about his game — lack of effort and production — Clowney is still a rare talent. Clowney’s quick-twitch explosiveness is special. He recorded an 1.56-second 10-yard split at the NFL combine. His is also long (6-5, 266) and extremely athletic. Teams will bank on his raw talent, which will make him a Top 5 selection.

2. Kony Ealy, Missouri
Ealy was the best player on a very talented Missouri defensive line. He led Tigers with a combined 23.5 sacks/quarterback hits. Ealy’s length, first-step quickness and versatility is what sets him apart. Ealy started as the team’s right end, but he would slide inside to defensive tackle on passing downs.

3. Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
After leading Notre Dame with 12 sacks in 2012, Tuitt’s play dropped off dramatically this past fall. Tuitt added weight between the two seasons and appeared sluggish. He also played too high. Tuitt’s weight is now hovering around 300 pounds. He can be an ideal 5-technique for teams which utilize a 3-4 defense.

4. Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State
Lawrence is one of the most talented pass rushers in the class. But he also has a history of suspensions. Otherwise, Lawrence is fluid, flexible and athletic off the edge. Over the past two seasons, Lawrence registered 20 sacks.

5. Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
Jeffcoat registered 22 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in 2013. He also added 19 quarterback pressures. Due to his play he earned the Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end. Jeffcoat always showed the ability to get up the field and get after the quarterback.

6. Scott Crichton, Oregon State
Crichton is ideally suited to become a left defensive end. Crichton is very strong at the point of attack and relentless. He finished his career with 51 tackles for loss. What he lacks is an explosive first step. A team isn’t going to draft Crichton to become its primary pass rusher.

7. Chris Smith, Arkansas
Smith is an oddity. He is only 6-1 but he has some of the longest arms (34 1/8) of any defensive end in the draft. Smith is also one of the few defensive ends in the class who can dip his shoulder and bore down on the quarterback.

8. Kareem Martin, North Carolina
Usually 6-6, 272-pound defensive ends that finish their senior season with 21.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks are considered first-round material. Martin isn’t. Martin proved to be inconsistent and disappeared in games.

9. Will Clarke, West Virginia
Clarke is a developmental prospect. At 6-6 and 271 pounds, he has the size and athleticism to play defensive end in 4-3 or 3-4 defense. He will need further coaching to improve technique.

1o. James Gayle, Virginia Tech
Gayle is the type of defensive end that will supply pressure on the quarterback — 61 hurries the past two seasons — but he doesn’t finish — only 11 sacks.